who had contributed so much to the publication of the Risale-i Nur, was in constant touch with Bediuzzaman in Ankara. He describes Bediuzzaman's anxiety at the forthcoming calamity, and how he related his urgent message to the government concerning Aya Sophia and the Risale-i Nur. [^123] Bediuzzaman himself also stated in a letter that "an important reason" for his going to Ankara was to urge Menderes and the government to clean up Aya Sophia and make it once more into a place of worship. [^124] It may also have been during this stay that he gave his last ders to his students in Ankara.
[^123]:Tahsin Tola, in Son Şahitler, i, 160-1.
[^124]:Nursi, Emirdağ Lahikası, ii, 208-9.
Bediuzzaman left Ankara on 6 January and went once again to Konya. On 5 January he had given a long statement to the Time correspondent, who had wanted to accompany him on the journey, but Bediuzzaman had not consented, since his trip to Konya was "a personal trip" [^125] Yet despite this being the case — Bediuzzaman went to his brother's house then again visited the tomb of Mawlana Jalaluddin Rumi — he was met by a huge police presence and followed by police cars wherever he went. He stayed only two hours then returned to Emirdağ. [^126]
[^125]:Fehmi Yılmaz, in Son Şahitler, i, 245.
[^126]:For an account, see, Re'fet Kavukçu, in Son Şahitler, ii, 231-8. It includes some newspaper cuttings, one of which describes "the battle of words" in the National Assembly between Menderes and İnönü on the subject of Said Nursi.
On 1 January, Bediuzzaman set out once again for Ankara. But now the government had bowed to the pressure of the opposition and he was not permitted to enter the city. His car was stopped by police outside it and he was told of the cabinet decision "advising" him "to rest" in Emirdağ. That is, henceforth Emirdağ was his place of compulsory residence. Bediuzzaman had already heard the decision, which had been broadcast over the radio, and complied with the request on the car being stopped by the police barricades. He returned to Emirdağ.
He later wrote a statement to the newspapers saying that firstly, because of his illnesses and the fact he very often could not speak, it was a Divine mercy his being requested by the government to remain in Emirdağ. He hoped his students would not be offended at his not being able to respond to their invitations. Secondly, a proof that his journeys were nothing to do with politics was that among other things, due to the rule taken from the Qur'an, "No bearer of burdens can bear the burden of another," meaning, "to disturb public order is to wrong ninety innocents on account of five criminals", their service was extremely beneficial for the country and